Manchester City have been continuously linked (Manchester Evening News) with a move for Real Sociedad’s winger Mikel Oyarzabal. The 22-year-old is being seen as a possible replacement for Leroy Sane whose future is still uncertain at the Etihad. It is fair to say that City have missed Leroy Sane this season who has been out with injury. His directness, pace and trickery often made the difference in crunch situations and the club has found it hard to kill off games this season.
Oyarzabal talks about transfer rumours
Oyarzabal has come up from Sociedad’s academy and has already gone on to represent Spain. The winger currently has seven goals and four assists in all competitions this season. The Spaniard recently responded regarding his transfer speculations and revealed that he is happy to stay with Sociedad.
Oyarzabal recently said, ‘’ I don’t pay attention at all to those rumours (On links with Manchester City). I am focused in my work at la Real. I have never thought about [playing in another league]. I am very young, and I hope to have a long career. I don’t know what the future has prepared for me.”
Can Oyarzabal be a suitable replacement for Sane?
The Spaniard is known for his impressive work rate, dribbling and shooting abilities. Oyarzabal isn’t blessed with blistering pace, but he has enough to trouble the opposition. However, the Sociedad man is at his most lethal when he gets the ball in and around the final third as he can link up play well. His shooting prowess is impressive as well.
Oyarzabal is also a hard worker off the ball. He would be someone similar to Bernardo Silva in terms of abilities but with a better shooting range from in and around the box. The Spaniard is still 22, so there is a lot of room for improvement to his game.
One aspect where he might have to improve is on the physical aspect. The Premier League is known for its physicality, and the winger probably needs to work on that to thrive for City.
We still believe that Sane would be a better pick over Oyarzabal because of his explosiveness, but the Spaniard would be a decent alternative. However, after the 22-year-old’s recent interview, it seems like he is content to stay at Real Sociedad for the time being. He has his contract at the club until 2024, so it would take a significant offer from City to sign him in the upcoming summer.
